Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1901 — Rats Clogged the Furnace Flue. [ARTICLE]

Rats Clogged the Furnace Flue.

A Slater man tells a rat story which he assures a reporter is absolutely true: “Several days ago, John, the colored man employed by Hull & Edwards, butchers, went to the slaughter house,” said he, “and attempted to start a fire under the scalding vat. For some unaccountable reason he, could get no draft through the chimney. It developed later that on account of the earth being warm under the vat from previous fires, the rats, which were known to be numerous about the slaughter house, had taken refuge under it. There was but one way for them to get out and that was to come through the mouth of the' furnace. As they left the furnace! John got a stick and began ing them. He succeeded in killing 104, by actual count, and I presume more got away than were killed. So many had taken refuge under the vat that' the draft was cut off. After they madei their exit no further trouble was experienced in making the fire burn.: In addition the rats have been very scarce round about the other slaughf ter houses since the rat Killing bee.”— Kansas City Journal.